What was violated by the employees when they submitted authorization cards after the initial petition?

The violation pertains to the 48-hour rule, which states that once a petition for union representation is filed, union organizers typically have a limited timeframe—usually 48 hours—to collect authorization cards from employees who wish to join the union. If employees submit authorization cards after this 48-hour window, the validity of those cards may be challenged based on this timeframe, impacting the union's ability to demonstrate sufficient interest among employees to support their organizing effort.

Understanding the significance of this rule is crucial in labor law as it helps to maintain order and clarity during the representation election process. It also serves to protect both the employees' rights to make informed decisions and the integrity of the union organization efforts. In this context, submitting authorization cards after the initial petition has ramifications on the overall process and could lead to complications in establishing a legitimate claim for union representation.